Ex-dillard Player Dies

Rodney Stone, a former basketball standout at Dillard High, was killed in a one-car crash Thursday in Fort Scott, Kan. He was 20 years old.

Another ex-Panther, Kelvin Brown, was injured in the accident and is listed in fair condition at Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott.

Both men were set to begin their basketball careers at Fort Scott Community College.

"Although Rodney was at FSCC for a couple of weeks, he has been a part of our Greyhound basketball family since early December when the recruiting process began," said Greyhounds coach Brette Tanner in a news release issued Friday afternoon.

"He was not only a great basketball player, but he had this way about him that drew people closer to him, and that is the trait that the team loves about Rodney the most," added Kari West, director of the college's community relations. "He will be deeply missed by the players, however he will not be forgotten."

Stone capped off his high school career as an All-State honorable mention and as a member of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's All-County third-team. He was a three-year starter, playing a pivotal role in the Panthers' back-to-back state championships in 2000 and 2001.

"Rodney was a good friend and I'll miss him," said former Dillard teammate Brandon Tobias. "His death was unfortunate and so sudden. I was glad to see him in school, and he will definitely be missed."

Tobias graduated this year and is attending Alabama-Birmingham.

Stone's friend and teammate Brown joined the Greyhounds after spending the previous season playing at South Florida. While at Dillard, he led the Panthers to consecutive state titles and was named a first-team All-County and All-State selection the past two years.

Tanner said his team will find a way to carry on.

"I have been very proud of how this group of young men have come together to help each other cope with this tragedy," he said.